An item reported that during the discussions in the budgets in the Eerste Kamer (Dutch Parliament) the minister of war and navy ir. C. Staf announced the stationing of a modern destroyer (1) in New Guinea to support the Dutch forces to prevent infiltrations.(2)
The Dutch forces were since 1950 changing rapidly and were all prepared for modern times. The aircraft carrier Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman would be fitted out with modern aircraft and in this manner or more value. Is times she was not available used Dutch naval pilots carriers of friendly nations for training. Navy experts were experimenting with anti submarine warfare.
Notes
1. Several destroyers served in the waters around Nieuwe Guinea like the destroyers Hr.Ms. Piet Hein (former British HMS Serapis laid down on 14 August 1941), Evertsen (former British Hms Scourge laid down on 26 June 1941), Kortenaer (former British HMS Scorpion laid down on 19 June 1941) and the modern submarine chaser Groningen (launched at Amsterdam on 9 January 1954) which departed 28 June that year towards Nieuw Guinea.
2. Between 1949 and 1962 were the nowadays Indonesian provinces Papua and West Papua a overseas Dutch territory known as Nieuw Guinea. The new republic Indonesia claimed New Guinea which resulted in a armed conflict between both countries. As a result of regaining full independence for Dutch New Guinea invaded Indonesian troops the territory. In October 1962 it was temporarily administrated by the UN and a year later handed over to Indonesia. In 1969 it was annexed by Indonesia.
3. This was the second carrier in the Royal Netherlands Navy both called Karel Doorman. She was the former British HMS Venerable of the Colossus-class laid down on 3 December 1942 at the shipyard of Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. In 1969 sold to the Argentinean navy and renamed ARA Veinticinco de Mayo.
